[Woolsy]

So what you basically means that a sheep dog has a different function than a shepherd? If I am correct with my understanding, what does a sheep dog typically do compare to a shepherd?

I have another thought about your answer. If the Belgian Sheep Dog will be used for tending sheep then I can call it a shepherd. If not then it will retain the name sheep dog.

[Yogi]

Originally Posted by Woolsy

So what you basically means that a sheep dog has a different function than a shepherd? If I am correct with my understanding, what does a sheep dog typically do compare to a shepherd?

I have another thought about your answer. If the Belgian Sheep Dog will be used for tending sheep then I can call it a shepherd. If not then it will retain the name sheep dog.

I will simplify this. What is the name we give a person who tends sheep? He or she is commonly referred to as a "Shepherd". These dogs created for tending sheep were in many cases given the name "Sheep Dog". Over the years with the onset of man realizing the dog could perform this function with little to no human intervention, the man or woman referred to "Shepherd" became somewhat obsolete thus in turn the dog took over the role which led to the term "Shepherd" being given to the dog as it now performed the role of "Shepherd" that man or woman had done previously.
Any dog bred to herd and guard sheep are of the Sheep Dog family commonly referred to as Shepherds.

[Woolsy]

Thanks Yogi for the explanation. I know better now. So "sheep dogs" doesn't have to be from the "shepherd" breed because any breed that can tend sheep can be called sheep dog. But because the "shepherd" breed is the most common breed that is used to tend sheep then this specific breed was given the name "shepherd" or "sheep dog" to distinguish them from the other kind of breeds of dogs.

I hope my explanation is understandable.

[Yogi]

close enough...